Happenings at Skylark Opera Theatre June 2025

Get Ready for The New Seven Deadly Sins

Skylark is back at The Crane Theater, August 7–10, 2025, with the Minnesota premiere of The New Seven Deadly Sins—a daring blend of contemporary song and dance featuring seven original songs commissioned by the Carnegie Hall Corporation for the legendary Audra McDonald.

Each sin comes alive through music by some of the most gifted living composers of opera and musical theater, incl, each bringing their own unique style. Skylark’s twist: pairing these powerhouse songs with bold, evocative choreography from director Nikki Swoboda and musical direction by Skylark’s own James Barnett.

Soprano Bergen Baker brings vocal fire to each piece, while dancers Patrick Jeffrey and Sarah Potvin channel the passion and complexity of each “sin” through movement. This is not your usual song and dance—it’s a visceral, genre-blending experience where opera and musical theater meet modern dance, and the results are thrilling.

Tickets will be extremely limited—don’t miss your chance to witness this bold work. Watch Skylark’s website and social media for on-sale dates and be ready to grab your seat before they’re gone.

Stand Up and Speak Up for the Arts

Arts organizations are facing unprecedented challenges. First, the governance and programming of The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts were targeted, next the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities were identified for closure. Now NPR, PBS, museums and other cultural experiences are under attack. Performing arts histories are being erased and emerging works and voices stifled.

The need to stand up and speak up for the preservation of our artistic heritage and future has never been greater. Please write to Minnesota’s Attorney General, Keith Ellison and let him know you support his efforts to keep NPR and PBS funded and operating independently. Connect with the members of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation and let them know how important the arts are to you and in your community. Keep up on all the happenings at Minnesota Citizens for the Arts.

Thank you, legislators and Governor Walz, for keeping Minnesota the State of the Arts

Minnesotans know how important the arts are to our great state. We are lucky to have amazing community support for the arts. Overcoming legislative gridlock and economic challenges, Governor Walz signed into law two arts funding bills.

  • Legacy Bill (HF 2564): Secures allocation of 47% of the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund to the Minnesota State Arts Board and Minnesota Regional Arts Councils (MSAB/MRAC system) for the next two years.

  • State Government Bill (HF 3045): Provides stable General Fund support for the arts, with a modest increase despite major budget constraints.

The legislative process achieved further protections for the arts:

  • Protected Artistic Freedom: Artists and organizations remain free to create without interference.

  • Protected Arts Funding: No diversion of Legacy dollars to non-arts projects—this keeps funding focused on the arts.

It took huge advocacy efforts and bipartisan support, led by Representatives Joe McDonald (R) and Samantha Vang (DFL) in the House and Senator Foung Hawj (DFL) in the Senate. Along with all of you, they stood up and spoke up for the arts in Minnesota and arts funding will continue.

Keep Minnesota arts organizations alive

Gaining the ear of our state legislators isn’t the only way to support the arts. There are performances near you all summer long. Here are a few to get you started:

Don’t Forget Skylark’s Upcoming Events

August 7-10, 2025: Five performances of The New Seven Deadly Sins at The Crane Theater, 2303 Kennedy St NE UNIT 120, Minneapolis, MN 55413.

June-October, 2025: Skylark for Seniors at senior residences throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area

October, 2025: Skylark’s 4th Annual OktOpera Fest celebrating the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss, Jr. Watch this space for exact date and time.

Megan Millett